The Lincoln Lawyer

Well-written, appropriately sour modern crime story shows what happens when a wheeling-dealing Los Angeles criminal-case attorney (Matthew McConaughey) lets himself get talked into defending a diabolical client — a rich, arrogant playboy (Ryan Phillippe) charged with raping and beating a prostitute. Michael Connelly's novel is in good hands. Director Brad Furman (The Take) and screenwriter John Romano capture the LA jiffy-lube vibe in a bottle, with slick 'n' salty performances by a large cast of wisecrackers, including William H. Macy, Josh Lucas, Frances Fisher, Bob Gunton, John Leguizamo, and Marisa Tomei as the lawyer's ex-wife. (119 min.)
ByKelly Vance